Tasting #19 - Red

Name: Grifone Primitivo Old Vine Zinfandel
Grape: Zinfandel
Smell: smooth, violet, not fruity but not corse, dark flora, deep red rose, vanilla almond
Taste: thin body, smooth, slight metallic finish
Dryness/Sweetness: dry
Food: White Sharpe Cheddar Cheese
Country/Region: Italy

Alcohol Content: 13%
How much? If someone else bought it
Where'd you try it? Friend bought it
Would you drink it again? I'd Keep it in mind

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #18 - Red

Name: Sagrantino Di Montefalco 2005 - Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita
Smell: not extremely fragrant, caramel?
Taste: thin body, not much going on, typical red
Dryness/Sweetness: medium dry
Food: White Sharpe Cheddar Cheese
Country/Region: Italy

Alcohol Content: 13.5%
How much? not sure - friend bought it
Where'd you try it? Tasting at home with friends
Would you drink it again? If someone else bought it - and there was nothing else to drink.

Extra thoughts:
I just wasn't totally impressed. This wine didn't nail it for me.
Sorry guys, I was slacking and didn't remember to take a picture of the bottle.

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #17 - Red

Name: Le Lapin Multiplicity
Grape: Sirah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Refosco
Color: black cherry red
Smell: big oak, tame spice, outdoorsy/wooded smell
Taste: smooth, woody, first sip - slightly hot on the finish
Dryness/Sweetness: medium dry - not too much
Food: White Sharpe Cheddar Cheese
Country/Region: Paso Robles, California

Alcohol Content: 14.5%
How much? $6.95 on sale Vintage Cellar
Where'd you try it? Tasting at home with friends
Would you drink it again? At least one more time - I'd love to get more from this wine once I can generally detect more from the wines I'm tasting. The woody/smoothness of this wine is definitely my thing.

Extra thoughts:
This went down a bit like rolling hills. What I mean by that is that it wasn't super complex or dull and flat. I feel like at points it had a distinct flavor and then it simmered down, then peaked again. Interesting... hope you followed that description a bit.

Other reviews:

Chain Bridge Cellars gives us this insight:

"Multiplicity is a ripe, round, friendly wine that offers up ample aromas of red cherry and plum fruit with notes of cocoa butter, chocolate and spice. Then generous flavors of red and black fruits, graphite and a touch of menthol for complexity and lift. Nicely concentrated and softly ripe on the finish. The whole thing reminds you of cookouts at the beach somehow, so toss on some burgers and have a party!"

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #16 - White

Name: 2008 Igreco Filu Greco Bianco Calabria
Color: straw yellow
Smell: pear, melon, smooth friut
Taste: pear, hint of peach
Dryness/Sweetness: mild dry
Food: White sharp cheddar slices
Country/Region: Italy

Alcohol Content: 13%
How much? $12 from Vintage Cellar
Where'd you try it? Home tasting with friends
Would you drink it again? If someone else bought it - it didn't jump out at me as spectacular, but maybe I'm just not that into this kind of wine.

Extra thoughts:
I think this wine also got better tasting after letting it reach room temperature a day after opening. But that's just me.

Other reviews:

There is not much online in terms of reviews.

A note of citrus fruits and flowers. Fresh and round. Enjoy paired with fuller flavored white fish or veal.

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Wine Library TV- The glass, does it matter?

Happy Superbowl Sunday friends!

True or False? The shape of the glass affects the taste of the wine.

TRUE!
It's not just in your head. The shape of the glass actually does affect the way the wine will taste. No, the glass doesn't actually change what's in the wine as much as it emphasizes different features. The bigger the bowl, the more wine molecules can paint the inside of the glass. When the wine begins to evaporate, we have more to assess. Taste is 85%-90% smell, which is why it's so important to sniff before you drink it down! That being said, drink out of whatever glass you think gets you the most out of your favorite wine. You don't need a different type of glass for every type of wine you'll ever taste. That would just be silly.

Fun exercise:

Boyer, my Geography of Wine teacher, recommended we try this. I encourage you to do the same.

What you need:

a shot glass
a short glass (maybe used for juice or other alcoholic beverages)
a tall, thin water glass
a regular wine glass
a wine glass with a huge flare (If you don't have this, try to find something in
your kitchen that resembles it, like a vase)

Grab a red wine like a Shiraz or Zinfandel (These guys tend to have a distinct
aroma)
Grab a white wine of your choice
Bread or plain crackers to neutralize things in between
Pen and paper

Taste!

1. Chill the white wine in your fridge for 30 minutes or until it's chilled to
your liking.
2. Open your red, let it breathe while you taste the white.
3. Let's do this, pull out that white wine. Measure out a shot with the shot
glass and pour it into each of the above mentioned containers.
4. Taste! As you do so, write down your impression and see if it changes from
glass to glass. You may only notice a difference in a few, but
even a novice (like myself) will detect some subtle differences.

**Remember, the last Wine Library TV post showed us how to get the most out of tasting.
Step 1: "give it a swirl"
Step 2: "give it a serious sniff"
Step 3: "check out the legs"
Step 4: taste it
Step 5: "give it another sniff"

5. Try some bread or crackers in between to neutralize things a bit.
6. Repeat with the red.

Let me know what you all get from this when you try it!

If you'd rather watch Gary Vaynerchuck do it, check out Episode #111 - Wine glasses, how do they affect wine?

Tasting #15 - White

Name: 2008 St. Clement Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
Smell: pear, orange or tangy rather
Taste: hot, pear, white fruit,
Dryness/Sweetness: dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Napa Valley, California

Alcohol Content: 14.3%
How much? $7.99 Kroger
Where'd you try it? At home with friends
Would you drink it again? If someone else bought it - I think there are probably better wines out there waiting for me to taste them!

Extra thoughts:

Other reviews:

"This Sauvignon Blanc showcases lusharomas of pear, honeysuckle, orange zest, lemon curd and just a hint ofwhite pepper. The palate is crisp andbright with notes of grapefruit, orange blossom and pear juice."

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #14 - White

Name: Salem Fork Sweet Blush
Smell: sweet, light, fruity, watermelon
Taste: strawberry, light fruit,
Dryness/Sweetness: medium sweet (residual sugar 5%)
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Dobson, North Carolina

Alcohol Content: 11.1%
How much? $9.99 (Shelton Vineyard)
Where'd you try it? At home with friends from Shelton Vineyard
Would you drink it again? At least one more time!

Extra thoughts: Sweet, but not too sweet. If you haven't been to this vineyard, go visit! It's about 2 hours south of Virginia Tech.

Other reviews:

Shelton Vineyards offers more information:

History -
Our Salem Fork Blush is a non-traditional and delightful deep pink-colored wine produced from Merlot. It opens with honey and dried cranberry, watermelon and strawberry in the nose with hints of mandarin orange on the palate. This slightly sweet wine is balanced with crisp acidity for a clean finish. A favorite in our tasting room and great choice for picnicking, this wine is easy to enjoy by itself, with fruits and cheeses or as a perfect foil for spicy fare.

Awards -
2010 North Carolina Wine Competition / Silver Medal
2008 Mid-Atlantic Southeastern Wine Competition / Gold Medal
2007 NC Commercial Wine Competition / Silver Medal
The Wine Report Magazine, Sept-Oct / Score of 88
2006 Wines of The South Competition / Silver Medal
2006 North Carolina Wine Competition / Gold Medal
2006 Mid-Atlantic Southeastern Wine Competition / Silver Medal
Gold Medal - 2008 Mid-Atlantic Southeastern Wine Competition
Gold Medal - NC Commercial Wine Competition
Silver Medal - 2010 Wines of the South Competition
Silver Medal - 2010 NC Commercial Wine Competition

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #13 - Red

Name: Madison Lee
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon 37%, Tannat - 33%, Merlot 14%, Cabernet Franc 8%, Syrah 5%, Petite Verdot 3%
Smell: spicy, vanilla
Taste: medium bodied, vanilla
Dryness/Sweetness: medium dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Dobson, North Carolina

Alcohol Content: 12.5%
How much? $11.99
Where'd you try it? At home with friends
Would you drink it again? At least one more time

Extra thoughts: This was a really great Vineyard to visit!

Other reviews:
Shelton Vineyards offered a lot of good information:

History -
Our proprietary Red Table Wine, Madison Lee Red is named for the Shelton’s two grandfathers whose middle names were Madison and Lee. Our goal in producing this wine was to craft a wine that was enjoyable as a sipping red yet hearty enough to hold up to everyday foods. A wonderful uncomplicated red wine that is terrific with pizza, burgers, ribs, wings, or Bar B Q. Madison Lee Red is medium-bodied and very approachable with ripe berry fruit and a hint of vanilla and spice. Cases of 12 bottles available for purchase.

Awards -
2009 Mid-Atlantic Southeastern Wine Competition / Silver Medal
2009 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition / Silver Medal
2008 World Value Wine Challenge / Bronze Medal
2008 North Carolina Commercial Wine Competition / Silver Medal
2008 Mid-Atlantic Southeastern Wine Competition / Silver Medal
2008 International Eastern Wine Competition / Bronze Medal
2007 NC Commercial Wine Competition / Silver Medal
Florida State Fair International Wine & Grape Juice Competition / Bronze Medal
2006 North Carolina Wine Competition / Silver Medal
The Wine Report Magazine (Winter 2004-2005) / Score of 87

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #12 - Red

Name: The Stump Jump Vintage 2009 - Shiraz
Grape: Grenache 42%, Shiraz 33%, Mourverde 25%
Smell: spicy, dark berry
Taste: smooth, earthy, berry
Dryness/Sweetness: medium dry
Food: garlic bread, pork, pasta w/corn and carrots, sweet potato
Country/Region: Australia

Alcohol Content: 14%
How much? $13.95 Vintage Cellar
Where'd you try it? At home
Would you drink it again? Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Extra thoughts: The wine went really well with the dinner my boyfriend and I made! After letting it breathe a bit I could really notice some of the bold, alcohol taste disappearing. I would definitely get it again. Thanks Brittany for pointing this out!

Other reviews:

The Vintage Cellar says:
"This is a rich, soft and flavoursome red in the traditional McLaren Vale style. Mulberry and plum flavours from the Grenache combine with the blackberry, spice and white pepper of the Shiraz. Best served at room temperature, this wine will gain added complexity with careful cellaring over the next 2 – 5 years."

My rating scale works as such:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!

Tasting #11 - Red

Name: 2008 Rubus Old Vine Zinfandel
Smell: little hot, dark fruit
Taste: cherries, raspberries, vanilla, smooth
Dryness/Sweetness: medium dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: California

Alcohol Content: 14.9%
How much? $12 (Kroger)
Where'd you try it? At home with friends
Would you drink it again? At least one more time

Extra thoughts: My friends said good things about this too and most of us are novice wine drinkers!

Other reviews:

"Bold, spicy and loaded with ripe black fruits, the Rubus Old Vine Zinfandel is a keeper. Intense plum, black currant and black raspberry dominate, but black pepper, cedar and anise notes also abound."

Just a reminder how my rating scale works:
1. Never Again
2. If someone else bought it
3. I'd keep it in mind
4. At least one more time
5. Going to get another bottle right NOW!